"No, but Dr. Etwald was."
"Dr. Etwald! Do you think he has anything to do with it?" queried Jen, perplexed and a trifled startled.
"I am certain of it," replied Maurice. "He employed Dido to steal it from you, as you refused to sell it. Listen, uncle, and I'll give you my reasons for this belief," and then Maurice told succinctly all that had taken place at The Wigwam during the afternoon.
Major Jen listened quietly, and waited until Maurice ended his story before he spoke. The information about Mrs. Dallas and her reference to himself did not surprise him so much as Alymer expected it would do. In fact he only made one brief remark upon this point.
"I am sorry Mrs. Dallas said that," he remarked, when Maurice paused in his narrative.
"But what does she mean by it. Uncle Jen? Didn't you wish me to marry Isabella?"
"I am neither for nor against," replied Jen, enigmatically. "As I said before, let the girl marry who she loves best."
"She loves me best."
"In that case I am sorry for David," retorted the major.
"So am I," rejoined Maurice, promptly. "All the same, you can hardly expect me to give up to David the girl I love, and who loves me. But why does Mrs. Dallas support David's suit?"